Vancouver Takes Bold Step in Truth and Reconciliation
After four years of anticipation, Vancouver has officially renamed Trutch Street—a move that reflects the city’s ongoing journey toward truth and reconciliation. This change honors the Musqueam Nation and acknowledges the painful legacy tied to the street’s former name.
Why Trutch Street Needed a Change
Back in July 2021, Vancouver City Council voted to rename Trutch Street. The street was originally named after Joseph Trutch, B.C.’s first governor general, whose policies and actions were widely recognized as discriminatory and harmful toward Indigenous peoples. The request for renaming came directly from the Musqueam Nation, whose traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory includes Vancouver. This territory is also shared by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
The city has openly acknowledged that Trutch’s legacy of racism continues to affect Indigenous communities today, both socially and through policy. Renaming the street is seen as a meaningful step to confront this history and promote healing.
Introducing šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street: A Name with Deep Roots
The new name, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street, was gifted to Vancouver by the Musqueam Nation during a traditional renaming ceremony in 2022. Translated into English, it means Musqueamview Street. This marks the first time a street in Vancouver uses a non-English alphabet as its official name, making it a landmark moment for Indigenous recognition in the city.
The legal name will appear on official city records, maps, and government databases. However, for practical reasons—like mail delivery—the English translation will still be used where necessary.
Collaboration and Respect at the Heart of Change
The City of Vancouver emphasizes that this renaming is more than just a symbolic gesture. It’s an important act of reconciliation, carried out with respect, collaboration, and care in close partnership with the Musqueam Nation.
For those curious about pronouncing šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm, the city has provided an audio guide online, making it easier for everyone to embrace and honor the new name.
Vancouver’s renaming of Trutch Street to šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street is a powerful example of how cities can confront uncomfortable histories and move toward a more inclusive future—one name at a time.
